Below average rains in the Oromia, Amhara, Somali and Afar regions of the country have led to new instances of drought, leaving 5.6 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

IR Ethiopia has conducted a rapid needs assessment in 2 zonal areas, including Afder, which is the hardest hit area.

Islamic Relief is the only international humanitarian organization with a presence in Afder.

The main needs are water, food and livestock protection (emergency livestock feeds).

The dry season is projected to continue until April 2017.

The affected population in Ethiopia is facing a humanitarian crisis as the drought is expected to become more severe in the coming months.